Agbonlahor ‘sure’ about Roberto Firmino quitting Liverpool as £82m deal finalised
Gabby Agbonlahor has claimed Roberto Firmino will want to move on from Liverpool in the summer window after the marquee signing of Cody Gakpo.
The former Aston Villa striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, insisted the 31-year-old “for sure” still has a part to play for the Reds amid injuries to Diogo Jota and Luis Diaz.
Liverpool announced the signing of Gakpo on Wednesday (28 December) and he will officially become a Reds player on 1 January.
Football Insider revealed on Tuesday (27 December) that the deal to bring Gakpo to Anfield will cost a total of £82million when his £120,000-a-week, six-year contract is factored in.
Meanwhile, Firmino’s deal is set to expire in the summer – meaning he can discuss a pre-contract agreement with foreign clubs from 1 January.
This site revealed last month (3 November) that the Brazillian may need to agree a pay cut on his £180,000-a-week wage in order to remain a Liverpool player.
Firmino has shone for Jurgen Klopp’s side this season, scoring nine goals in 21 outings.
Agbonlahor told Football Insider’s Ewan Kingsbury: “This season there’s a place for Firmino, that’s for sure.
“But at the end of the season, Liverpool will have that conversation – ‘do we need him?’
“They’ll have Jota, Salah, Nunez, Diaz, and now Gakpo.
“I think the summer will be a time where he’ll want to move somewhere to play more regularly.
“There’s no rush to sort something out, but I think at the end of the season he will be moving on.”
In other news, pundit backs Liverpool to accept £10m bid for defender in January.